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Started By
Message
Best Wireless Camera....
Posted on 3/9/21 at 7:50 pm
Posted on 3/9/21 at 7:50 pm
Looking to add a few wireless cameras for the outside(home security). Would like to not have to pay a monthly subscription. TIA
3
Posted on 3/9/21 at 8:31 pm to nwhsallstar2000
I've read good things about the Arlo Pro 2. They have 7 days of free cloud storage or you can plug in a HDD to the base for local storage. The camera is 1080p quality and needs to be charged every 6 months or so, depending upon usage.
Posted on 3/10/21 at 8:32 pm to MLU
Wyze and super easy to set up
Posted on 3/11/21 at 12:39 am to nwhsallstar2000
I have two Reolink Argus 2 cameras a year or so ago and have been impressed with them. I think the Argus 3s are available, but not sure what all of the improvements are (but I know it has a built in spotlight not on the Argus 2).
The Argus 2s have Starlight night sensors (patented by Sony I think) which are great for Night Vision and in side by side comparisons, they make a big difference.
The Argus 2 on my back covered deck looks like a bright floodlight is on even in complete darkness. The Reolink App works well (tons of settings) and you can add up to 32 cameras on it and view them simultaneously. You can use up to a 64G Micro SD card in each camera to store videos plus use their 7 day free Cloud service (but we don't use that).
The video alarms happen within a few seconds of being tripped. That's nice whether you are not aware that a delivery person just dropped off a package, or if you are on vacation or at work and just want to check in on what set off a video alarm.
I also have them connected to Reolink Solar Panels ($25 each), and one of the solar panels is in shade for at least 3/4ths of the daylight and it still keeps a 100% charge.
I just purchased and received a Reolink Argus PT (Pan & Tilt) Camera today (also with a Starlight Sensor + I got one with a Solar Panel). I set it up earlier tonight to test it using the Reolink app, and I walked all the way around our house with it in the dark viewing it on my phone, and the Wifi worked the whole time. If you ever have issues with WiFi performance on your camera, you can always use WiFi extenders, and/or replace the antennae on your camera with one with a longer antennae with more DB Gain. Worst case would be add an extension cable where the antennae plugs in to have the antennae away from the camera in a better spot. My Router is in my basement, and I have one camera mounted 50' or so away mounted 14' under an eave, and that is through 3 walls. Pretty impressed with it so far and plan to mount it on Friday (after I receive a sturdier mount for it that will also attach to a gutter downspout).
I suspect I will be ordering a couple of more Argus PT cameras to fully covering my house.
You can probably get more expensive and more capable cameras, but for WiFi cameras powered just by solar power, they are pretty good at home security and are pretty affordable.
Whatever you check out, be sure to watch YouTube videos to compare against other cameras. LifeHackster (YouTube Channel) does a great job for comparing cameras and showing you all of the features and performance of cameras. Here's just a few of LifeHackster's videos you might want to watch.
Reolink Argus PT Review - Wireless Battery Powered Pan and Tilt WiFi Camera
Reolink Argus 3 Spotlight Cam Review - Unboxing, Features, Setup, Settings, Video & Audio Quality
Reolink Argus 3 Pro Review - 2K Smart AI Wire Free Camera - Features, Setup, Video & Audio Quality NOTE: This "Pro Version" camera is not yet available but will be soon. Reolink sent one to LifeHackster to test.
Arlo Pro 2 vs Reolink Argus 2 - Comparison Of Their Features, Video Quality Daytime and at Night
Best Home Security Cameras 2021 - Outdoor, Indoor, Battery & Wired, WIFI & PoE Cameras NOTE: LifeHackster likes the Eufy Cams as the best WiFi Cameras per this very recent video, but each camera has pros and cons compared to other cameras, so you just have to make up your own mind which features are more important to you. For example, Eufy cameras have customizable zone detection and the Argus cams do not have that yet. I still like the Argus WiFi cameras the best because they have the best day and night vision (better than the latest Eufy and Arlo WiFi cameras as shown in this video) and that is more important to me than zone detection. There are more than just those differences in features so just check out all of the best WiFi cameras and make up your mind what is best for your situation and desired features versus cost.
The Argus 2s have Starlight night sensors (patented by Sony I think) which are great for Night Vision and in side by side comparisons, they make a big difference.
The Argus 2 on my back covered deck looks like a bright floodlight is on even in complete darkness. The Reolink App works well (tons of settings) and you can add up to 32 cameras on it and view them simultaneously. You can use up to a 64G Micro SD card in each camera to store videos plus use their 7 day free Cloud service (but we don't use that).
The video alarms happen within a few seconds of being tripped. That's nice whether you are not aware that a delivery person just dropped off a package, or if you are on vacation or at work and just want to check in on what set off a video alarm.
I also have them connected to Reolink Solar Panels ($25 each), and one of the solar panels is in shade for at least 3/4ths of the daylight and it still keeps a 100% charge.
I just purchased and received a Reolink Argus PT (Pan & Tilt) Camera today (also with a Starlight Sensor + I got one with a Solar Panel). I set it up earlier tonight to test it using the Reolink app, and I walked all the way around our house with it in the dark viewing it on my phone, and the Wifi worked the whole time. If you ever have issues with WiFi performance on your camera, you can always use WiFi extenders, and/or replace the antennae on your camera with one with a longer antennae with more DB Gain. Worst case would be add an extension cable where the antennae plugs in to have the antennae away from the camera in a better spot. My Router is in my basement, and I have one camera mounted 50' or so away mounted 14' under an eave, and that is through 3 walls. Pretty impressed with it so far and plan to mount it on Friday (after I receive a sturdier mount for it that will also attach to a gutter downspout).
I suspect I will be ordering a couple of more Argus PT cameras to fully covering my house.
You can probably get more expensive and more capable cameras, but for WiFi cameras powered just by solar power, they are pretty good at home security and are pretty affordable.
Whatever you check out, be sure to watch YouTube videos to compare against other cameras. LifeHackster (YouTube Channel) does a great job for comparing cameras and showing you all of the features and performance of cameras. Here's just a few of LifeHackster's videos you might want to watch.
Reolink Argus PT Review - Wireless Battery Powered Pan and Tilt WiFi Camera
Reolink Argus 3 Spotlight Cam Review - Unboxing, Features, Setup, Settings, Video & Audio Quality
Reolink Argus 3 Pro Review - 2K Smart AI Wire Free Camera - Features, Setup, Video & Audio Quality NOTE: This "Pro Version" camera is not yet available but will be soon. Reolink sent one to LifeHackster to test.
Arlo Pro 2 vs Reolink Argus 2 - Comparison Of Their Features, Video Quality Daytime and at Night
Best Home Security Cameras 2021 - Outdoor, Indoor, Battery & Wired, WIFI & PoE Cameras NOTE: LifeHackster likes the Eufy Cams as the best WiFi Cameras per this very recent video, but each camera has pros and cons compared to other cameras, so you just have to make up your own mind which features are more important to you. For example, Eufy cameras have customizable zone detection and the Argus cams do not have that yet. I still like the Argus WiFi cameras the best because they have the best day and night vision (better than the latest Eufy and Arlo WiFi cameras as shown in this video) and that is more important to me than zone detection. There are more than just those differences in features so just check out all of the best WiFi cameras and make up your mind what is best for your situation and desired features versus cost.
This post was edited on 3/11/21 at 1:39 am
Posted on 3/11/21 at 8:41 am to nwhsallstar2000
Just popping in to say that if you ever have to use the footage to make an ID, you will probably be disappointed with anything wifi and especially battery-powered wifi. IMO these cameras are good for the specific use case where it's very difficult or impossible to run a wire.
Posted on 3/11/21 at 1:41 pm to Korkstand
Great point (gave you an upvote). WiFi is not close to what you can build for a security system compared to a much better wired POE system with an NVR which allows you to record 24x7 on all cameras, plus with optical zoom, more capabilities and 4MP or 4K etc, for much clearer video. But for those who just want security to see what is going on around their house from a Live view and also record (although lower resolution) any events, WiFi is a good lower cost option with a comparatively much easier installation. You can see the video quality of all of the WiFi cameras on YouTube to see if its good enough for what you want to spend and use them for.
I have a separate wireless solar/battery operated motion detection system all around my house and property (out to 1/4 mile around my property). Once I get my "cheaper" Wifi cams viewing all around my house, when I get a motion detector that goes off, I'll be able to "Live" view my cameras and see what's approaching my house if I wanted to, and start recording a video, take a snap shot picture, talk to someone via the camera duplex mic/speaker, etc. When we move later this year or next, my plan is to eventually install a much better wired POE camera system.
BTW, Reolink's newest Argus 3 Pro is Wifi with 4MP optics that you can zoom, plus schedule to record for say an hour of straight recording, plus you can set it to only record when it detects people or vehicles. So the Wifi cams are getting better each year.
I have a separate wireless solar/battery operated motion detection system all around my house and property (out to 1/4 mile around my property). Once I get my "cheaper" Wifi cams viewing all around my house, when I get a motion detector that goes off, I'll be able to "Live" view my cameras and see what's approaching my house if I wanted to, and start recording a video, take a snap shot picture, talk to someone via the camera duplex mic/speaker, etc. When we move later this year or next, my plan is to eventually install a much better wired POE camera system.
BTW, Reolink's newest Argus 3 Pro is Wifi with 4MP optics that you can zoom, plus schedule to record for say an hour of straight recording, plus you can set it to only record when it detects people or vehicles. So the Wifi cams are getting better each year.
This post was edited on 3/11/21 at 2:00 pm
Posted on 3/11/21 at 2:53 pm to 98eagle
There are definitely plenty of scenarios and budgets where wifi and/or battery powered cameras make sense, no doubt. Just saying if it's at all feasible to run a wire, I'd do it. You get better everything for a bit more expense up-front. And if you plan to live where you are 5+ more years, it's even cheaper in the long run because wiring is (essentially) a one-time expense.
Posted on 3/11/21 at 7:31 pm to Korkstand
Cant disagree with you. 100% you are correct. I started out wireless and realized how nice it would be to have a more expensive wired system. We're moving no later than approx 1 year so I want to wait on a wired system.
One thing I do know now is it's good to have at least one WiFi battery camera even if you have the absolute best wired system. Example: Last winter I had a squirrel squeezing through my metal gutter cover on an inside corner that had a gap wider than it should have been) and it chewed it's way into our attic. This was 20' up in the air on our 2nd story. I put a ladder up to that area, cut a piece of steel angle iron to plug the hole (but not yet). I took my completely wireless camera off my back deck and mounted it on small piece of plywood and stapled some foam on the board. I took the board with camera up the ladder and placed it on the roof a few feet away from the place where the squirrel was squeezing in and out of the gutter. The camera was pointed directly where the squirrel would come out. Went down the ladder and went inside, made some coffee. Within 10 minutes my camera sends an alarm to my phone. I watch the video of the squirrel squeezing out, checking out the camera and scampering off. I went up the ladder, plugged the hole, came back down. 20 minutes later, camera alarm comes in showing the squirrel "locked out".
That's just a practical example of how you can use a wireless cam outside of the capability of a wired camera.
I also have a creek in my backyard about 100' from the back deck. Many animals use the creek bank as a pathway in and out of adjacent woods. I planted scrub trees and bushes that help funnel the animals into game trails. I validated that with hunting cams, but just tested that one of my WiFi cams can also monitor that area, so I'll soon start watching them on my phone versus retrieving the hunting cam SD cards. It's pretty cool watching deer, coyotes, raccoons, rabbits, possums, and the occasional fox taking the same paths.
One thing I do know now is it's good to have at least one WiFi battery camera even if you have the absolute best wired system. Example: Last winter I had a squirrel squeezing through my metal gutter cover on an inside corner that had a gap wider than it should have been) and it chewed it's way into our attic. This was 20' up in the air on our 2nd story. I put a ladder up to that area, cut a piece of steel angle iron to plug the hole (but not yet). I took my completely wireless camera off my back deck and mounted it on small piece of plywood and stapled some foam on the board. I took the board with camera up the ladder and placed it on the roof a few feet away from the place where the squirrel was squeezing in and out of the gutter. The camera was pointed directly where the squirrel would come out. Went down the ladder and went inside, made some coffee. Within 10 minutes my camera sends an alarm to my phone. I watch the video of the squirrel squeezing out, checking out the camera and scampering off. I went up the ladder, plugged the hole, came back down. 20 minutes later, camera alarm comes in showing the squirrel "locked out".
That's just a practical example of how you can use a wireless cam outside of the capability of a wired camera.
I also have a creek in my backyard about 100' from the back deck. Many animals use the creek bank as a pathway in and out of adjacent woods. I planted scrub trees and bushes that help funnel the animals into game trails. I validated that with hunting cams, but just tested that one of my WiFi cams can also monitor that area, so I'll soon start watching them on my phone versus retrieving the hunting cam SD cards. It's pretty cool watching deer, coyotes, raccoons, rabbits, possums, and the occasional fox taking the same paths.
This post was edited on 3/11/21 at 7:59 pm
Posted on 3/11/21 at 8:34 pm to 98eagle
Excellent examples of use-cases perfect for battery-powered wifi cameras!
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